Hawaii to receive $13.9 million in homeland security grants

WASHINGTON, DC (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii is receiving $13.9 million in preparedness grants from the Department of Homeland Security.

U.S. Senators Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye announced the grants for Fiscal Year 2011.

"DHS preparedness grants are critical to advancing our nation's resilience. Although I am disappointed with this year's reductions in funding, I will continue fighting to ensure that Hawaii receives the funding needed to protect our communities from acts of terrorism and major disasters," said Senator Akaka.

"I am very pleased that these much needed funds have been made available to Hawaii. With the APEC conference a few months away our law enforcement officials and first responders should not be worried about how to fund their activities. This money will help our police, fire fighters, and paramedics and keep our community safe," said Senator Inouye.

Hawaii will receive funding from the following grant programs:

• State Homeland Security Program – the State will receive $5,137,205 to support its homeland security strategies in planning, equipment, and training activities;

• Emergency Management Performance Grant Program – the State will receive $3,287,765 to enhance its emergency management capabilities;

• Port Security Grant Program – the State will receive $2,763,021 to protect critical port infrastructure in the Honolulu port area;

• Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant Program - the State will receive $1,281,976 to enhance regional and community planning for emergency situations;

• Driver's License Security Grant Program – the State will receive $829,473 to improve the reliability of State issued personal identification documents;

• Metropolitan Medical Response System – the City and County of Honolulu will receive $281,693 to enhance local response efforts to mass casualty incidents;

• Transit Security Grant Program – the City and County of Honolulu will receive $254,000 to enhance security at critical transit infrastructure; and

• Citizen Corps Program – the State will receive $99,702 to coordinate involvement of community members and organizations in emergency management.